After the Bills-Bengals game was ruled a no-contest due to Damar Hamlin’s frightening cardiac collapse on the field, the NFL confronts the arduous chore of determining the playoff implications.
The league has presented proposals for how to “fairly” handle the playoff picture, including an AFC Championship Game at a neutral site if both clubs are involved and a coin toss to determine home field. It appears that not everyone supports this proposal.
Thursday night, Joe Mixon, the Bengals’ top running back, tweeted an image of the NFL’s rulebook with the statement, “So we are no longer following the rules.”
Mixon captured an image of the rule titled “Competitive Policy for Cancelled Games,” which specifies that playoff seeding is determined by final winning percentage if a game is canceled. It appears that he is attempting to claim that neutral-site games and coin tosses are unnecessary given the existing rules.
Under the idea, the Bengals’ potential championship game versus the Chiefs would be played at a neutral location. However, that would be almost their only means of benefit.
If Cincinnati loses to Baltimore in Week 18, the NFL would hypothetically toss a coin to determine which team would host a playoff game. However, regardless of the outcome of the game, Cincinnati would still have the greater winning percentage and should have already clinched the division under the present criteria.
On Friday, the owners must adopt the plans during a meeting. Nonetheless, we can be certain that at least one Bengal will be dissatisfied if the vote passes.
With condolences flooding in from players, coaches, fans, and the media, the NFL is still suffering from Hamlin’s injury during “Monday Night Football.” The Bills safety remains in serious condition in the ICU as of Friday, despite being conscious and making tremendous progress.
»Joe Mixon is dissatisfied with the NFL playoff concept after Damar Hamlin’s injury cancels a game«